LAYUP: The New York Knicks have reached the NBA finals, and politicians are eager to ride the wave of excitement.
They’re organizing exclusive watch parties as a means to charm the political press and leverage the cultural significance.
With taxpayer-funded staff, they are creating and sharing Knicks-themed social media content, complete with music, varied locations, and plenty of enthusiasm.
Additionally, they are crafting government documents aimed at spreading positive energy—and positive publicity—around New York’s basketball team.
It seems New York’s politicians are seizing every chance to associate their political image with this rare achievement for the Knicks, and it’s visible wherever you look.
“There’s a unique excitement and unity about this year and this run that many candidates are eager to connect with,” said Matt Rey, a Democratic operative with Red Horse Strategies. “Live events are rare, but sports remain an exception, and this is the pinnacle, especially for a local area… Advertising around finals games is the best opportunity to reach the most Democratic primary voters, without a doubt.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani took advantage of this on Wednesday night, starring in a commercial aired during Game 1, featuring his three favored congressional candidates passing the ball as if they were professional players.
This morning, he announced he plans to attend Monday night’s game, purchasing his own ticket, which will be an expensive outing for someone from rent-stabilized housing.
President Donald Trump also intends to attend, though Mamdani was non-committal when asked if he would sit with the president or meet him while he’s in town.
“I’ll keep those conversations private,” Mamdani told 1010 WINS.
The mayor is further demonstrating his Knicks enthusiasm by issuing an executive order allowing children to stay up late to watch the Knicks, inviting Spurs’ center Victor Wembanyama to the next Charter Revision Commission meeting, and commissioning Knicks-themed art for City Hall.
Other politicians are joining in as well. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg used his press conference on a retail theft ring indictment to discuss Knicks basketball.
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar shared an AI graphic of herself with two Knicks stars, captioned, “New York, it’s time. Let’s. Go. Knicks. 🏀”
Additionally, politicians are placing bets on the games, where the losing city’s iconic food is sent to the winners. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is betting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz slices of Joe’s Pizza and Brooklyn Lager, while she’ll receive Texas BBQ if the Knicks win. Nick LaLota is betting a 6-foot hero on the Knicks winning against a Texas congressman. The New York City Council is wagering bagels against San Antonio’s breakfast tacos.
For politicians contemplating joining the trend, Rey advises: “Don’t be a bandwagon fan.”
“If you’re genuinely excited, go all in because it’s what makes you unique. If not, find something else that does,” he said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, however, is not placing any bets. She refused to engage in any friendly wager with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after he posted an AI image of dunking on her.
Hochul, known for her love of the Bills, finds it easy to embrace any sports enthusiasm that captures New York.
“I’m thrilled,” she said at a press conference discussing both the World Cup and NBA Finals. “I love sports. If there’s a ball involved, I’m in.”
From the Capitol
THE LEGISLATIVE FINALE: The annual legislative session is slowly coming to an end as the Assembly works on its final set of bills.
The Senate wrapped up its proceedings at 1:30 a.m. Assembly members expect to finish by this evening, but hopes are fading that they will conclude before the Knicks tip-off at 8:30 p.m.
Much of the day was devoted to unanimously passing a bill by Assemblymember Alex Bores, which sets regulations on how AI chatbots interact with minors, banning them from engaging in sexually explicit conduct or encouraging suicide.
“If you can’t make chatbots safe for children, they shouldn’t be available to them,” said Bores, who is running in a competitive congressional primary. “I can’t think of a more fitting bill to close my time in the chamber.”
The Assembly also debated a constitutional amendment to move elections, like upstate mayoral and district attorney races, to even-numbered years.
Democrats argue that these changes will boost turnout in lesser-known races and save money by reducing how often polling sites are open. Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha noted it’s easier for voters to focus on all elections simultaneously, instead of annually worrying about different offices.
Republicans have opposed this, as well as the 2023 legislation shifting most town and county races to even-numbered years, arguing it politicizes elections that should focus on practical issues, like snow plow management.
“This is blatant power grab number four,” Assemblymember Joe Sempolinski said, summarizing a week when Democrats also passed measures on congressional redistricting, judicial redistricting, and removing the bipartisan Board of Elections’ authority to choose referendum wording.
“All of these are partisan attacks on the integrity of our democratic institutions,” Sempolinski said. “People want us focused on improving their lives and affordability, not on the Democratic Party seizing more power.” — Bill Mahoney
FROM CITY HALL
OVERKILL: A new report from City Comptroller Mark Levine reveals that most NYPD overtime costs, which typically total around $1 billion annually, stem from predictable events that could be better managed.
“Reducing overtime spending is a clear priority for the NYPD, particularly as New York City aims to trim recurring expenses amid projected budget gaps,” Levine stated in a report released today. “Overtime should only be used when absolutely necessary to ensure community safety.”
During last year’s mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged to curb overtime spending, which has often been underestimated in the city’s budget, leading to significant cost overruns.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, Levine projects NYPD overtime costs will reach $890 million, ranking as the third-highest year on record.
Levine suggests the department manage staffing more efficiently for parades, quality-of-life initiatives, and other predictable events to prioritize regular shifts. He also recommends holding specific commands accountable for consistently exceeding their overtime budgets, ensuring rest periods for officers working long shifts to prevent fatigue, and creating a comprehensive accountability structure for auditing.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is also committed to controlling overtime spending, and Levine’s report indicates some initial positive outcomes from her efforts.
However, a series of summer events, including the World Cup, NBA finals, and the 250th anniversary of America, are expected to add approximately $92 million to the NYPD’s overtime budget for the next fiscal year, though federal funds will cover some of these costs.
At a recent City Council hearing, Tisch explained that the department’s overtime spending has increased due to salary hikes and general inflation. She vowed to balance the department’s demands with the fiscal goals of both the comptroller and mayor.
“This exceptionally busy period will lead to increased overtime spending,” she said. “Nonetheless, this does not alter our overtime management plan or our priority to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers while being fiscally responsible.” — Joe Anuta
PENN DRAMA: Rep. Jerry Nadler is expressing frustration over legislation advocated by a developer chosen to revamp Penn Station.
Before Amtrak selected Halmar to redevelop Penn in May, the developer promoted a bill on Capitol Hill allowing the railroad to benefit from nearby commercial development.
This legislation would replace a paused deal between the state and midtown developers, including Vornado, to finance substantial upgrades to the rail hub using payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) incentives. The bill would allow developers to strike a deal with the Trump administration, making payments to Amtrak and bypassing New York officials. Vornado’s head, Steve Roth, is a former associate of the president’s.
Nadler was the sole member to vote against the idea in committee when it was added as an amendment to a surface transportation bill. He criticized the plan as a giveaway to developers and an effort to circumvent local accountability.
“This is a handout to Donald Trump and his real estate allies, and New Yorkers will bear the cost,” Nadler told POLITICO in a statement.
Halmar, which Amtrak awarded master development rights to in May, approached Nadler in mid-March with bill language. This was after Amtrak had proposed using PILOT incentives to help finance the new Penn Station, but before Halmar was named the winning developer.
Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) introduced the amendment, backed by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.). Both view the bill, which has broad language applicable outside New York, as a means to facilitate Amtrak’s funding of upgrades nationwide.
“This might be the first time I’ve heard a Democrat not support Amtrak making these kinds of decisions,” Moulton remarked during a May 21 hearing as he sparred with Nadler over the amendment.
Halmar declined to comment. Vornado did not respond to a request for comment.
It remains uncertain whether other Democrats will oppose the idea, which supporters claim could accelerate development around mass transit hubs—an idea generally appealing to Democrats. — Ry Rivard
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
DEBATE-A-PALOOZA: One of the city’s most competitive races is set for a high-profile debate before the primary.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat and Darializa Avila Chevalier, who is backed by Mamdani, will debate on June 17 in an event hosted by Telemundo 47/WNJU. Theo Chino-Tavarez and Oscar Romero, two other contenders for the seat, will also participate.
The debate will be conducted entirely in Spanish. Hispanic residents comprise about half of the district, which includes parts of upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
The primary has intensified since Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier last week. On Friday, following a contentious forum on WNYC between Espaillat and Avila Chevalier, both campaigns held events in Harlem showcasing their progressive support. — Madison Fernandez
IN OTHER NEWS
— BATTLEGROUND: Espaillat and Avila Chevalier are ramping up efforts to engage Harlem’s Black voters, a critical group in the closely-watched primary. (The New York Times)
— ‘BLINDSIDED’: Parents of transgender children allege that Mount Sinai plans to share records of children receiving gender-affirming care with the Trump administration. (Gothamist)
— MR. MET: Ali Najmi, who previously served as an election attorney to Mamdani and as head of NYC’s commission to select local judges, is now working for billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen. (Hell Gate)
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